The accusations were first levelled at Mr Green by former Met assistant commissioner Sir Bob Quick and were later fuelled by retired officer Neil Lewis.

In the wake of Mr Green’s resignation, colleagues blasted their conduct last night.

Outspoken backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg told The Sun: “I’m deeply concerned that as far as I can tell the reason for his resignation is some questionable behaviour by retired policemen based on a deeply questionable search of his office when he was an opposition spokesman in 2008.

“I think this raises more questions about how the police behaved then, and how the retired policemen behaved since, than it does about Damian Green.

"Therefore I’m very sorry that he felt that he ought to resign and I think it is a loss for the Government to be without his wisdom.”

Former minister Andrew Mitchell added: “These two admitted breaches of the ministerial code are dwarfed by the extraordinary behaviour of the police which fortunately is now under investigation”.

Current Met Chief Cressida Dick has previously condemned the actions of the former officers and suggested they could be prosecuted if they are found to have committed an offence.

The row goes back to a 2008 investigation into leaks at the Home Office, during which Mr Green’s computer was poured over by officers.

The First Secretary of State has always maintained his innocence in the face of the porn allegations and said the recent accusations were down to "ulterior motives".

KATE MALTBY

The Cabinet Office investigation also looked into allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by Mr Green towards Tory activist Kate Maltby.

She said Mr Green “fleetingly” touched her knee and sent her “suggestive” text messages in 2015.

The probe was unable to make a verdict on the claims but said Ms Maltby's account was "plausible".

In a statement last night Ms Maltby’s parents said they were “not surprised to find that the inquiry found Mr Green to have been untruthful,” adding that they were “proud” of their daughter.

janet_28826

16:48 on 21st December 2017

No true. It is a case of dishonest retired police officers hanging onto confidential material after they had left the police force for nefarious reasons. Would not be surprised if the porn was placed onto the computer by someone other than Damian Green.